How to Update Instagram on Android and iOS

Keeping the apps on your phone up to date is an important part of taking good care of your devices. By updating apps, you make sure to access all the new features and fixes released by developers. Whether your phone runs iOS or Android, using smart update strategies helps update apps easily while keeping your information secure.

This little guide will walk you through the steps to update the Instagram app on both iPhones and Android devices. Instagram is a popular example, but the methods shown here apply to all apps.

Updating Instagram on Android

1. On your Android device, open the app drawer. Here locate the Google Play Store app icon & Tap on this icon once to launch the Play Store application.

2. Once inside the Play Store, you will see a search bar near the top of the screen. Place your finger inside the text field of the search bar and tap once to activate it.

3. Using the on-screen keyboard, type out the word "Instagram" by tapping the individual letters in succession. Ensure the full word "Instagram" is entered inside the search bar text field.

4. Tap the search button on the keyboard, often depicted as a magnifying glass or the word "Search." This will initiate a search of the Play Store using the term "Instagram."

5. Scroll through the application results listing until you find the result labeled "Instagram" published by Instagram, Inc. Tap once on this result to select it.

6. On the Instagram app listing page, check below the description for an "Update" button. If present, this button indicates a newer app version is available.

7. Touch and release your finger on the "Update" button to trigger the downloading and installation of the latest Instagram version to your device.

Updating Instagram on iPhone

1. Open the App Store app. You'll find its icon amongst your other apps on the home screen. Once inside the App Store, look to the top where you'll see a search bar. Tap inside the text field to activate it.

2. Use the on-screen keyboard to type in the name of the app you want to update - in this case, type "Instagram".

3. Tap the search button to initiate a search. This will display any matching results from the App Store. Scroll through until you see the listing for Instagram, published by the developer Instagram, Inc. Give it a tap.

4. Have a look at the app description. If a newer version is available, you should see an option to "Update" next to the listing. Go ahead and press that button. (If it says "Open" instead of "Update," then that means there isn't a newer version available for that app.)

5. You may then be prompted to enter your Apple ID password for verification. Type it in using the keyboard.

6. Now sit back and let the magic happen - the latest Instagram version will automatically start downloading. Just leave it be until completion before opening the app itself.

Best Practices for App Updates

Enable Automatic App Updates

Save time by allowing your phone to automatically keep apps updated:

For iPhone: Go to Settings > App Store and switch on the “App Updates” option under “Automatic Downloads.”

For Android: Open the Play Store > Menu > Settings > Network preference> Auto-update apps. Select to update over any network or only on Wi-Fi.

Manually Check for Updates

Even with auto-updates, routinely check for new app updates yourself:

For iPhone: Launch the App Store and visit the “Updates” tab.

For Android: Open the Play Store and go to the menu & select “Manage apps & devices > Updates available” list.

Maintain Sufficient Storage

Before updating, confirm you have enough free storage space on your device by removing unused apps, photos, etc. Updates require room to install properly.

Back-Up Important Data

As a precaution, you can back up your photos, contacts, etc. prior to major app updates in case any issues necessitate reinstalling or resetting.

Taking a few minutes routinely to apply these app update strategies can go a long way in optimizing your phone and favourite apps. Updates often squash bugs, enhance performance and utilize the latest OS capabilities. Always checking for available updates and allowing automatic downloads means you benefit immediately from new developer releases.

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